MASONS NOT DANGEROUS
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I haven't read all the postings, and forgive me if I am redundant. A few brief points.
(1) I am not a Mason and have never been interested in being a Mason, though I have been invited. I have other priorities and already not enough time for them, and secret societies don't appeal to me.
That is ok you are not missing any thing. I was a mason.
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(2) The Masons do wonderful work and the Shriners have superb hospitals in this area to treat patients, especially those suffering from burns. They also have a major home and hospital complex for seniors, open to all.
Yes the social front/community front does do many good things. It is what is behind the sciens.
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(3) Catholics have joined lodges in this area, More than that, Masonic lodges and the KoC have cooperated together now and then.
Then they are in violation of CC teachings. Vatican 2 did not change the CC stance on freemasonry. Hear is a letter from the CC on masonry.
I also want want to post the declaraiton of the Catholic Church on freemasonry. It clearly states that the original postion has not changed.
Declaration On Masonic Associations
Issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on November 26, 1983.
It has been asked whether there has been any change in the Church’s decision in regard to Masonic associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly, unlike the previous code.
This Sacred congregation is in a position to reply that this circumstance is due to an editorial criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise unmentioned in as much as they are contained in wider categories.
Therefore the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. The faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion.
It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the Declaration of this Sacred Congregation issued on February 17, 1981 (cf. AAS 73 [1981] pp. 240-241).
In an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this Declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this Sacred Congregation.
Rome, from the Office of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, November 26, 1983.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect
Jerome Hamer, OP, Titular Archbishop of Loria, Secretary
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(4) Many of the Founding Fathers were Masons. George Washington, of course, was the head of all American Masons (Grand Master?) in his time. If you have ever walked down the Washington Monument you would have noticed plaque after plaque which indicate Masonic contributions toward building that monument. Various Masonic symbols also adorn the $1 bill.
What is your point. There are all sorts of intristicly evil groups throughout history that have contributed greatly.
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(5) I heard John Salsa on EWTN recently and ordered his more recent book, "Why Catholics Cannot Be Masons." It reads like some Vatican documents from the 19th century, especially the "Syllabus of Errors" by Pius IX which bitterly condemned democracy, separation of church and state, etc. Thank God, Catholics don't think like that any more, except a few extremists. We can praise Vatican II and John XXIII for that.
Then they need to be properly educated because CC and masonry do not go together.
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(6) Salsa even writes (p. 56): Catholics must avoid "associating with Masons in any way." Sorry, but what sort of silliness is that? Masons include some of our leading citizens in many communities - mayors, doctors, lawyers, merchants, ect...
Not to associate would I agree would be silly. How else but over time could one hope to correct there error.
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(7) If one is going to condemn Masonry s/he should at least use the proper language. It isn't "a evil group" but "an evil group". Then, again, I consider it sheer bigotry to call them an evil group.
Geesh nit pick the gramar. I tell you what. You call it bigotry I call it a eye opening education. Masonry is not a good thing. A good thing to do is put up a good public front for support and then change the rules as you come in the back door.
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God bless the whole world - no exceptions.
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